In the southern border, a secluded mountain wall suddenly exploded, revealing a large cave.
A figure emerged from within.
A shadow immediately swooped down from a nearby tree, respectfully bowing to the figure and saying, “Congratulations, Master, on advancing your cultivation to the next level!”
“It’s merely a minor breakthrough, what’s there to congratulate?”
The scholar in white spoke calmly, though he couldn’t hide a glint of joy in his eyes.
“Master, you were already at the late Foundation Establishment stage, unmatched in the entire Foundation Establishment realm. Now, having reached the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, you are invincible in this realm! Your subordinate naturally must offer congratulations!” said the sinister young man in a blood-red robe, smiling.
“Hmph!”
“Invincible in the Foundation Establishment realm?”
“Now, not only has my cultivation advanced further, but I have also broken through to the third level of the Great River Confucian Scripture. I can now wield the Forbidden Calligraphy Technique. Let alone mere Foundation Establishment cultivators, I could even contend with Core Formation cultivators!”
The scholar in white spoke with pride, then furrowed his brow and asked, “What major events have occurred while I was in seclusion?”
“Reporting to Master, nothing significant has happened. However, I heard that Black Wind Mountain was taken over by a toad demon, and a great demon from the Hundred Thousand Mountains has headed to our southern border. Who knows what trouble it will stir up,” the blood-robed young man said with a smile, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
“A toad demon?”
“I seem to have a connection with toad demons. In that case, I shall make a trip to Black Wind Mountain!”
The scholar in white sneered, then added coldly, “The demon clan dared to wipe out the cultivators left by our Scholarly Sword Alliance at Black Wind Mountain. This time, I, Qin, will reclaim it with blood. If I slaughter Black Wind Mountain again, my contribution points should be enough to gain that old fogey’s approval and become his personal disciple!”
“As for that great demon heading to the southern border, it’s courting death!
Our Great River Academy and the Blue Sky Sect have formed the Scholarly Sword Alliance, stronger than ever. Let alone a mere great demon, even if the nine Demon Saint Kings dared to come, they would likely leave a few lives behind to escape!”
The scholar in white sneered repeatedly, clearly confident in the strength of the human side.
His words caused a strange expression to flicker across the blood-robed young man’s face, though it quickly returned to normal.
“Let’s go. The sooner we slaughter Black Wind Mountain, the sooner we can return to the academy to claim credit!”
“By the way, how long was I in seclusion this time?”
“Reporting to Master, only half a month.”
“Only half a month? There’s still time then. The war between the human and demon clans likely hasn’t ended. After I slaughter Black Wind Mountain and return, the position of personal disciple is surely mine. Then, I will have the chance to request an empowerment from the dean.
With that, I will form my core and break through to the Core Formation stage!
With Core Formation cultivation, I will crush the demon clans and shine in this war between the two races!
My name, Qin, will resound throughout the academy, my prestige unmatched. When the time comes, the next dean will surely be me…”
As the scholar in white spoke, he flew off on a jade slip.
Behind him, the blood-robed young man wore a peculiar expression, instinctively licking his lips with a long tongue, eyeing the figure ahead as if it were prey.
…
In just half a day, Mo Fan returned to Black Wind Mountain.
Upon arriving, he sent Big Head to summon the senior members of Black Wind Mountain, formally introducing Little Yellow to the group.
When the demons learned that Little Yellow was a half-demon, most frowned slightly.
“Great King, our Black Wind Mountain already has plenty of demons. Why bother recruiting a half-demon?”
The speaker was none other than Mo Fan’s confidant, Red Eyes, causing the other demons to fall silent.
Mo Fan frowned slightly, looking at him and asking calmly, “Why can’t I recruit a half-demon?”
“Great King…”
Before Red Eyes could continue, his sleeve was tugged by Big Strength.
“What are you doing, Big Strength?”
“Ahem… nothing, nothing. I just think half-demons are pretty good, aren’t they?” Big Strength winked frantically at Red Eyes.
“Got an eye twitch or something?”
“…”
Ignoring the somewhat erratic Big Strength, Red Eyes continued to Mo Fan, “Great King, half-demons carry the weak blood of humans. They aren’t pure demons like us. In our demon clan’s eyes, half-demons and humans are no different, just food!
Now you want to bring food to join our Black Wind Mountain. Not just me, I’m sure the brothers here have objections.”
Mo Fan’s expression remained neutral as he scanned the crowd, but none dared meet his gaze.
“Do you all really think this way?”
Mo Fan asked, but no demon dared to respond.
“Hey! You spineless lot, didn’t you all agree with me, Rabbit Lord, that you didn’t like this half-demon?
What’s with the cowardice now?
Chirpy, you’re usually my biggest supporter, why so quiet today?
Big Strength, you really got an eye twitch?”
Seeing the demons’ silence, Red Eyes began to panic, realizing something, but his words were already out, and he couldn’t take them back. He tried to rally a few allies to his side.
Mr. Pig had once told him, “The law doesn’t punish the masses,” but now no one backed him, leaving Red Eyes somewhat exasperated.
“Enough!”
Mo Fan’s sudden shout startled the demons, and Red Eyes immediately dropped to his knees, looking at Mo Fan with a bitter expression, “Great King, I… I was wrong…”
“No, you’re not wrong. I was wrong!”
“I was too lenient with you, letting you get so arrogant that you dare question my decisions to my face!”
“Red Eyes, how long have you been captain of the enforcement team? And your胆子 has grown this big?!”
Mo Fan was genuinely angry.
He had anticipated some demons might object, but he hadn’t expected it to be Red Eyes.
Since the fool had stepped forward, it made things easier. Dealing with Red Eyes would ensure no other demon dared question his decisions or resolve!
“Great King, I was wrong! Truly wrong!!”
Seeing Mo Fan’s genuine anger, Red Eyes was terrified.
“Admitting fault? A simple admission is enough?”
“If one day you usurped my position, would a mere ‘I was wrong’ settle everything?”
“I… I wouldn’t dare, Great King, no… Master, you’re my dear master, please forgive me just this once!”
Red Eyes crawled toward Mo Fan, trying to cling to his legs for a dramatic plea, only to be kicked to the ground by Mo Fan.
“Red Eyes, as captain of the enforcement team, has defied my decision. He is hereby stripped of his position, and Little Yellow will temporarily take his place!”
Mo Fan’s stern voice caused Red Eyes to collapse in fear, and the surrounding demons realized the gravity of the situation.
Big Strength, Chirpy, Mr. Pig, and other old friends of Red Eyes began pleading on his behalf.
“Today’s precedent cannot be encouraged. No amount of pleading will help!”
“Little Yellow, White Elephant!”
“Present!”
“Red Eyes has defied the king’s law, but considering his loyalty, his death penalty is spared, though he cannot escape punishment!
Take him away immediately for the punishment of flaying and tendon extraction!
If anyone dares plead for him again, they will share his fate!”
“Yes!!”
White Elephant stepped forward, grabbing Red Eyes by the back of his neck like a chick and heading out. Little Yellow hurriedly followed.
As for Big Strength and the others who had pleaded, they stood up quietly, acting as if nothing had happened.
“Come Treasure, curse your ancestors!”
“Rabbit Lord was loyal to you, and this is how you treat me?”
“Damn you, Come Treasure, now that you’re high and mighty, you turn your back and pretend you don’t know me…”
From outside the cave came Red Eyes’ harsh curses, leaving Mo Fan torn between laughter and tears.
“Shut his filthy mouth!”
“Use the stinkiest thing to gag him!!”
